Off road bike or vehicle backpack

ABSTRACT

A backpack to be carried on the back of user that includes an adjustable rib protector, a hydration system, a tool pack with storage pockets and two extra storage compartments that can be used to carry other miscellaneous items. The backpack can be used in two ways. It can be attached to a chest protector that is commonly used for off road bike riding, or it can be used without the chest protector with two shoulder straps to provide a conventional backpack. The conventional backpack can be used by an off road bike user or vehicle user or with the backpack reconfigured to be used as a backpack for hiking or the like. The backpack is configured in such a manner that the various storage compartments can easily be removed and replaced by different storage compartments for various backpack requirements.

Related U.S. Application: Provisional Application No. 60/594,466, filed on Apr. 11, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a backpack worn by an off road bike or vehicle user and more specifically to a backpack that can be attached to a chest protector with components that are attached by belt means, bolt means, and hook and loop means commonly known as Velcro.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,186B1 to Blanking. Blanking provides a backpack that is suitable for carrying fragile objects, the backpack being made out of fiber reinforced semi-rigid material, while at the same time is comfortable and easy to handle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,348 to Shook. Shook provides a rigid backpack that is an aerodynamic, streamline shape that exhibits superior wind drag performance for street bikes at speed, while also directing airflow between the user's back and the backpack.

U.S. Patent Application 2005/0061844A1 describes a backpack with an outer shell of rigid material for facing away from the back of the user. The backpack has an aerodynamic shape that compliments the shape of a motorcycle helmet when leaning forward over the motorcycle handlebars providing improved airflow and reduced wind resistance.

What is needed is a backpack that has multiple means for carrying various objects, and at the same time can be used with safety items such as a chest protector and a rib protector. This present backpack can also be reconfigured by removing the chest protector and by using two shoulder straps it can be used as a conventional backpack for off road bike or vehicle riding, hiking, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an off road bike or vehicle backpack.

It is another object of the present invention to have a backpack configuration that can be attached to a chest protector.

It is still another object of the present invention to have a backpack configuration where the various components can be added or removed according to the requirement of the user.

It is yet another object of the present invention to have a backpack that utilizes two shoulder straps in lieu of being attached to a chest protector.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an off road bike or vehicle backpack having an adjustable rib protector fastened to a chest protector by belt, straps and bolt means. A hydration system is also fastened to the chest protector by bolt means. A tool kit is fastened to the adjustable rib protector by barrel screws and Velcro. The two accessory packs are held to the adjustable rib protector by Velcro. The bolt means in this invention are known as barrel screws that have a smooth surface on each end of the screw. A further feature of the present invention is removal of the chest protector and the addition of two nylon web belts. The two nylon web belts which are shoulder straps are each fastened to a buckle on one end and two barrel screws on the other end. The two barrel screws that are previously attached to the chest protector are now attached to the end of the web belts by two grommets built into the end of the web belts or shoulder straps. This transformation provides a conventional backpack for off road biking or for hiking, or the like.

The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention as to the system together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the off road bike or vehicle backpack mounted on the chest protector and also showing the rib protector. (The chest protector is not part of this invention. The chest protector may be purchased from the following companies: Thor, Fox and MSR. These companies are well known in the off road equipment business).

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the off road bike or vehicle backpack mounted on the chest protector. The tool pack, the hydration system and the accessory packs are seen in this view.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the off road bike or vehicle backpack mounted on the chest protector. The rib protector and an accessory pack can be seen in this view.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the off road bike or vehicle backpack with the chest protector removed and shoulder straps attached to make a conventional backpack. The rib protector is also seen in this view.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the off road bike or vehicle backpack with the chest protector removed and shoulder straps attached to make a conventional backpack. The hydration system, tool pack and accessory pack are also shown in this view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to FIG. 1 there is seen a front view of the present invention generally described as 10. This front view shows a chest protector 1 (in phantom) that is fitted on the user to protect the user's body in case of a crash. The chest protector 1 has arm and shoulder protection as well as protection for the user's chest. The chest protector is not part of the present invention but is used as a base for the present invention. In FIG. 1 there is also seen an adjustable rib protector that is made from 420 denier nylon fabric. The nylon fabric having two sides has nylon foam there between to provide a cushion effect in case of a crash. The rib protector 8 is held in place by nylon webbing 12 and barrel screws. The buckles 14 are used for an adjustment to accommodate the physical dimensions of the user. The nylon webbing 12 is held on to the rib protector 8 by Velcro. A release buckle 16 is provided to facilitate putting the chest protector 1 on the body of the user. Buckle 16 is also adjustable to ensure that the chest protector 1 fits the user snuggly. Nylon webbing 17 is attached to release buckle 16 and passes through guide 19. The entire rib protector 8 is held on to the chest protector 1 by nylon webbing 18 that passes through a release and swivel buckle 20. Release and swivel buckle 20 is attached to chest protector 1 by barrel screws 22.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the present invention attached to chest protector 1 (shown in phantom). In this view there is seen accessory packs 2 and tool pack 4. Accessory packs 2 and tool pack 4 are held on to the adjustable rib protector (not shown) by Velcro. Tool pack 4 has a lid that is fastened by buckles 24 attached by nylon webbing 26 to tool pack 4. Accessory packs 2 are made from nylon fabric with a top made from nylon webbing 28 and have a draw string closure 20 at the top. A hydration assembly is shown as a pack 5 with a zipper to allow a bladder (not shown) to be placed in the pack 5. The bladder must be filled with fluid prior to use. The hydration assembly is held on to the chest protector 1 by barrel screws 30. The hydration assembly is connected to the tool pack 4 by zipper 31 and Velcro. A tube 36 is connected to the bladder (not shown) on one end and on the other end is a bite valve. FIG. 3 is a side view of the off road bike or vehicle backpack 10. In the view the chest protector 1 (shown in phantom) is attached to the user. The off road bike or vehicle backpack is held on to the front of the chest protector 1 by barrel screws 22. This view also shows the accessory pack 2 and the adjustable rib protector 8.

FIG. 4 shows the alternate off road bike or vehicle backpack in the present invention. The chest protector is removed and two nylon straps 6 are attached in the front with release and swivel buckle 20. The release and swivel buckle 20 is attached to straps 6 by nylon webbing 38 sewn on to straps 6. The adjustable rib protector 8 and other features is the same as that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the present invention showing straps 6 which are attached to the hydration system by two metal grommets (not shown) on the end of straps 6. The straps 6 are attached to the hydration pack by barrel screws (not shown) through the metal grommets on the end of shoulder straps 6. In this view there is seen the tool pack 4 and the accessory packs 2. 

1. A backpack to be used by a person riding an off road bike comprising: a base member made from a flexible material that encircles the user to protect the user's ribs; means for attaching the base member in the front of said user; means for releasing the base member in the front of said user; means for adjusting the base member to accommodate the physical dimensions of said user.
 2. A backpack as described in the claim 1 wherein said base member has two sides having a cushioning material there between.
 3. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein said base member is attached to a chest protector.
 4. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching and releasing said base member in the front of said user is an adjustable release buckle.
 5. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein said base member is attached to said chest protector by bolt means.
 6. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein said base member has a tool pack attached thereon.
 7. A backpack as described in claim 5 wherein said tool pack is attached to said base member by a hoop and loop system called Velcro.
 8. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein said base member has two accessory packs attached thereon, said accessory packs attached to said base member by said Velcro.
 9. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein said chest protector has a hydration unit on the backside of said user.
 10. A backpack as described in claim 9 wherein said hydration unit is attached to said chest protector by bolt means.
 11. A backpack as described in claim 9 wherein said hydration unit has a bladder contained therein.
 12. A backpack as described in claim 11 wherein said bladder has a tube attached, said tube being available to said user.
 13. A backpack as described in claim 12 wherein said user may drink from said tube attached to said bladder by means of a bite valve.
 14. A backpack as described in claim 13 wherein said user bites down on said bite valve thereby opening said valve and draws the fluid from said bladder into the user's mouth.
 15. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein said base member is attached to two shoulder straps.
 16. A backpack as described in claim 15 wherein said base member is attached to said shoulder straps by buckle release means.
 17. A backpack as described in claim 15 wherein said base member has attached thereto a tool pack.
 18. A backpack as described in claim 15 wherein said base member has attached thereto two accessory packs.
 19. A backpack as described in claim 15 wherein said shoulder straps have attached thereto a hydration unit by bolt means.
 20. A backpack as described in claim 19 wherein said hydration unit has a bladder contained therein.
 21. A backpack as described in claim 20 wherein said bladder has a tube attached, said tube being available to said user.
 22. A backpack as described in claim 21 wherein said user may drink from said tube attached to said bladder by means of said bite valve.
 23. A backpack as described in claim 22 wherein said user bites down on said bite valve thereby opening said valve and draws the fluid from said bladder into said user's mouth.
 24. A backpack as described in claim 1 wherein the various storage compartments may be removed from the base member and replaced with other storage compartments for various backpack requirements. 